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Isotopic diversity indices: how sensitive to food web structure?
Anik Brind'Amour1, Stanislas F Dubois2
1IFREMER, Fisheries Ecology and Modelling Department, Ifremer, Nantes, France.
Plos One
|January 7, 2014
Summary
Isotopic diversity indices (IDIs) assessing food web structures are sensitive to species number and source overlap. Simulations show IDIs are more reliable for food webs with at least 20 species and distinct isotopic sources.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Food web dynamics
- Stable isotope ecology
Background:
- Niche ecology formalizes functional and trophic niches using stable isotope ratios.
- Isotopic diversity indices (IDIs) measure niche space dispersion but face critiques regarding source overlap, species number sensitivity, and standardization.
- Current IDIs may not accurately reflect food web structures due to these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ability of six common IDIs to differentiate various trophic food web structures.
- To evaluate the sensitivity of IDIs to isotopic source overlap and species number.
- To identify limitations and potential improvements for IDI application in food web analysis.
Main Methods:
- Simulations were used to test six commonly applied IDIs.
- Five distinct food web structures were simulated, varying in source overlap from separate to superimposed food chains.
- Simulations manipulated species number (10-100) and feeding behavior (random vs. selective).
Main Results:
- IDI values were higher in food webs with distinct basal sources, decreasing with increased food chain superimposition.
- This effect was more pronounced in food webs with selective feeding species compared to random feeders.
- Species number significantly impacted IDI metrics, with uncertainty increasing below approximately 20 species.
Conclusions:
- IDI performance is strongly influenced by food web structure, particularly source overlap and species feeding strategies.
- The number of species is a critical factor affecting IDI reliability, with a minimum threshold of around 20 species recommended for robust analysis.
- Standardization and careful consideration of these factors are necessary for accurate spatial and temporal comparisons using IDIs.
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